The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for an upgrade of the technical skills of department personnel, especially on digital literacy and visual graphics design, among others.

DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and TESDA Director General Suharto Mangudadatu signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Monday at the DILG main office, the DILG said in a news release Tuesday.

The program dubbed ‘DILG-BOOST’ (Building Opportunities and Overall Advancement for Personnel Through Skills Training of TESDA) would focus on providing opportunities for livelihood training programs to empower DILG personnel to acquire practical skills and for them to find supplemental sources of income to enable holistic growth.

Under the MOA, the DILG is tasked to identify and endorse qualified participants and ensure that they shall finish the training program and undergo mandatory competency assessment.

For dependents, those who are unemployed, underemployed, out-of-school youths (OSY), and individuals from disadvantaged and marginalized groups shall be prioritized in the training program.

Interested DILG personnel and their qualified dependents will also benefit from the free technical education and skills development training.

“Thank you for this BOOST Program. Nakita n’yo naman bibigyan ng skills training ang ating mga kawani dito. Sinisigurado ng DILG na anuman ang kasarian ay pantay-pantay ang karapatan, pantay-pantay ang trato at pantay-pantay ang oportunidad (We see here that our employees would be given skills training. The DILG assures that everyone, regardless of gender, would be given equal rights, treatment, and opportunities),” Abalos said.

The project is specifically designed to provide opportunities for retirees to prepare and explore options that will extend their retirement benefits and to support the implementation of the Magna Carta of Women or Republic Act 9710. (PNA)